Can I put my solar system on my shed?
Many people are now asking the question “Can I put my solar system on my shed?” You will find quite a few answers on the web, mostly written by solar installation business’s. They will give you an INCORRECT answer such as this: –
“There are factors that need to be looked at before saying yes but in a lot of cases the answer is yes.”
In fact, the correct answer is “There are factors that need to be looked at before saying yes but in almost all cases the answer is NO”.
Can I put my solar system on my shed? – Questions to consider
The main factors that need to be investigated is the structural integrity of the shed. It must be able to support the additional mass of a solar system. The unfortunate truth of most sheds built in Australia is that they are just or barely capable of supporting their own weight. They will not take an additional 20kg per square metre on the roof. Sure, a solar electrician will look at lots of things before deciding for you, but it is highly unlikely they will have the engineering knowledge to calculate the dangers of an additional weight on your shed roof.
Solar Installer Skills.
The solar installer will investigate the correct wiring in and to the shed. The installer will decide if the wiring to the system will be able to feed back into the grid. They can tell you if your shed cable is too small to carry the current. Recommendations can be made about cable upgrades if the cable does meet the AS regulations. These regulations state that all solar systems must meet a maximum of 2% voltage rise from point of supply to the inverter location. That is their job, and they know what they are doing but they can’t tell you if your structure is strong enough to support the additional weight under AS standards. That is the job of an engineer.
How can I find out if my shed is suitable – Can I put my solar system on my shed?
You can now be more informed than your solar installer on this question. Have a look at this independent website www.shedhealth.com.au. You can work out the “Health” or suitability of your shed for taking an extra load. Do not be surprised to discover that your shed is already barely capable of holding itself up under AS standards. Your answer will almost certainly be “NO”.
It is possible to strengthen your shed, but this can be a very costly business. This will involve a re-engineering of most of the structure.
The Easy Option for a Solar Ready Shed
Construct your shed from the beginning as solar ready. It may cost no more to have the shed constructed to take the weight of a solar panel system. Even if you are not intending to install a solar system now, it makes sense to have the future option available. The additional cost at the outset can be very little. Think ahead to avoid future problems. The only people we know who can supply you with your custom made solar ready shed are the people at Professional Choice Sheds. They already do the strongest sheds available in Australia. It doesn’t take much to ask for a solar ready shed roof. You can then speak to your solar installer with the confidence. They know what they are doing on the electrical side and you know you have a structure capable of taking the additional weight.
Further Reading (click title to read more)
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